Overview & Reviews

Depending on how old you are, you probably have different recollections of the Mercury Cougar: Baby boomers will likely remember the original V8-powered pony car and its evolutionary change into a big, personal luxury coupe. Car enthusiasts of a younger vintage are probably more familiar with the Cougar as a small, spry front-wheel-drive sport coupe. About the only common link between all Cougars is their Ford genetics.

Debuting in 1967, the first Mercury Cougar was closely related to the second-generation Mustang. Mercury's version was marketed as being more plush and European. Coupe and convertible versions were offered, and this was the first time that "XR-7" appeared as an option package. From a performance standpoint, these early Cougars were highly regarded, especially as they could be equipped with a variety of powerful V8 engines.

By the mid-1970s, however, the focus on performance had diminished. The Mercury Cougar of this era was more of a personal luxury car. Mercury even experimented with sedan and station wagon variants. The Cougar finally settled into its role as a luxurious coupe at the dawn of the 1980s. As a close relative of the Thunderbird (atop Ford's new "Fox" chassis), the Cougar remained rear-wheel drive and could be V6- or V8-powered.

With consumer tastes shifting away from this type of vehicle in the 1990s, Mercury cut all previous ties for the Cougar's final iteration. As a smaller front-wheel-drive coupe with a focus on style, this Cougar was meant to draw in young buyers who otherwise perceived the Mercury brand as being old and out of touch. However, this approach didn't quite work as well as Mercury had hoped. Faced with disappointing Cougar sales, Mercury finally pulled the plug on one of its most popular and well-known nameplates in 2002.

Most recent Mercury Cougar

The Mercury Cougar spanning from 1999 to 2002 was based on the Ford Contour (and the associated Mercury Mystique), a small sedan with European breeding. Mercury hoped these underpinnings would give the Cougar a sparkling on-road personality while the coupe's sharp "New Edge" styling did the rest, yet this generation of Cougar never met with much success. Some say the car's branding as a Mercury ruined its chances with the younger consumers the company was after, though our experience with the car gives us a few theories of our own.

The Cougar had the makings of a credible entry-level sport coupe thanks to its accurate handling, head-turning exterior styling and an available 2.5-liter V6 with a five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic. It also had a generally well-laid-out and comfortable interior (rear seats excepted), a surprisingly utilitarian hatchback body style and a price that was considerably less than other competing models of the time.

On the other hand, the car was merely adequate in a lot of ways. Steering feel was heavy, and acceleration was nothing special, even with the 170-horsepower V6 (the standard four-cylinder put out a meager 125 hp). Outward visibility was also poor. In a comparison test of six sport coupes we conducted in 2001, the Mercury Cougar finished last.

Needless to say, this wasn't one of our favorite sport coupes. Shoppers still interested in a used Cougar from this vintage, however, can pretty much look at any year, as Mercury didn't make any significant changes during the model's four-year run. Slightly altered front styling went into the '01 model, when the instruments and steering wheel were also revised. For the Cougar's final year, Mercury released the 35th Anniversary Package with chrome wheels, hood scoop and an in-dash CD changer. There were also a few special appearance packages, such as the C2, the Zn ("Zinc Yellow") and the XR.

Past Mercury Cougar models

The last and best of the traditional Mercury Cougars came along in 1989. Along with the still-related Thunderbird, the Cougar was redesigned atop a new chassis with an independent rear suspension, and to everyone's surprise, gave up its V8. Instead, this Mercury Cougar used a pushrod 3.8-liter V6 with 140 hp (supercharged to 210 hp in upscale XR-7 trim).

The 1991 model year saw the demise of the five-speed manual transmission and the dropping of the supercharged V6 in favor of Ford's classic 4.9-liter pushrod V8, rated at 200 hp. A better 205-hp 4.6-liter SOHC V8 replaced it in 1994, when the body got a styling refresh and the motorized seatbelts were traded for dual airbags. More styling changes came in 1996, and the interior was made over for the Cougar's last year in 1997.

The basics stayed consistent throughout this Cougar's model cycle. A 200-inch-long body, roughly 3,600 pounds of weight and numb steering kept it from being truly sporty, but rear-wheel drive and the all-independent suspension gave it respectable handling and a rather serene ride. Acceleration was fine with any engine besides the basic V6, though gas mileage was pretty dismal regardless. Interiors are attractive (despite Ford's old hard-to-use radio) and four adults will fit, though the Cougar's interior space and comfort are more in line with that of a midsize car than its size and weight suggest.

There are definitely smaller, lighter, faster, more efficient ways to cruise the streets in two-door style, but if rear-drive, a V8, a decent-size backseat and a low price are of top importance (and muscle cars aren't your thing), this generation of the Mercury Cougar is probably a pretty good pick.

User Reviews:

• 

  Lemon any one? - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By nichole57 - March 23 - 9:30 am

  This is the worst car ever! Ive had it four months and its a death trap. Ive already replaced the fuel line and pumps,spark plugs, cat. converter, starter, pumps and hoses that were fried by exhaust. I got into a bad accident due to the brakes,power steering and emergency brake failing. This car was a terrible buy. Its very comfy and sleek and OK on gas mileage. When not in the shop it is actually very fun to drive because of its pick up and go.

• 

  Bad Car - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Bpkr103 - February 11 - 9:36 pm

  Ive had nothing but problems with this car since I purchased it. Had 40,000 miles when purchased and bought extended warranty ( thank God ) Had new transmission 2 months after I bought it and now the engine is blown. Dealer asked for receipts for oil changes after the car sat for 3 weeks. Poor services, so glad I got that extended warranty now ill see if they honor it !

• 

  1999 Cougar - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By LMigliore - September 30 - 5:03 am

  Car handles reasonably well. Its almost impossible to shift smoothly; revs dont drop for several seconds. Dies occasionally. Maybe theyve fixed it now. Cant see out the back or sides.

• 

  Runs like a %@$#&@i#$!!! - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By maggycat - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Within 4,000 miles a bolt broke in the engine - took two weeks to fix and dealer wanted me to pay for rental car- unbelievable! Love the way the car looks inside & outside - drives harder than my 1981 Ford Fairmont Futura - very disappointed with the car and I only have 25000 miles on it - dealership even more disappointing - glad my lease is up in 10 months - also HORRIBLE in snow!

• 

  Hunk of Junk - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By lalala - December 20 - 3:56 pm

  After 10 years, the car still looks great, but thats just about all I can say. I bought my car new in 1998, and 2 days after I bought it it wouldnt start. This was just the beginning of my problems. The engine light keeps coming on, no matter how much I get the car repaired. The alternator has gone out 3 times, once leaving me stranded on the freeway at 2am in a storm. I am so constricted because with 86000, this car should still have life, but I cant even drive 20 minutes on the freeway without something happening. Oh yeah, and did I mention the sunroof? Dont even get me started.

• 

  Worst Mistake EVER! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By SunshineE - October 23 - 2:43 am

  This car was the worst mistake my father and I could ever make. I should have known better. Its American made! Everything that could go wrong did. My father spent so much money fixing this car its ridiculous. He spent more than the actual cars worth! It has been in and out of our mechanic since Dec 2009, Ive had it less than a year and Im already selling this piece of junk. The gas mileage is horrible. 16.5 mpg (city) I should be driving a huge SUV with that gas mileage. It was nothing but headaches beginning to end. I would strongly advise anyone to never buy this car. I cant wait to get rid of it. Im scared every time I get in it. I always think its going to break down on me. Never again!

• 

  A fun but sometimes scary year! - 1999 Mercury Cougar
  By Pippi - September 11 - 9:13 am

  The sporty V6 is fun to drive on highways and interstates but is not the best around town. I bought this car used last year and I loved it then, but after a while of driving in different situations I realized that it just was not for me. I am a short female and if I adjust the seat so I am comfortably ready to drive I end up about an inch from the visor! Also for me there is a huge blind spot behind the rear seats, which are so uncomfortable only my dogs ride back there, at first that was fine but now I need to carry people back there and they are too tall. When the car starts up in the morning and I back out of the driveway the car hums and the brakes squeaks, our service peep say it doesnt

• 

  Quality Not Job One - 1997 Mercury Cougar
  By Mike Harris - May 19 - 2:00 am

  Be aware of Fords 3.8L engines. They are widely known to have defective head gaskets. Recallled for 92, 94 & 95 but not 97. This includes Mustang, Thunderbird, Taurus, and Cougar. Premature failure, usually just after experation of Factory 3yr./36000mile warranty.

• 

  Dont go to Village Lincoln Mercury - 2002 Mercury Cougar
  By Jelena - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Worst experiences with a new car purchase. Dealership very unprofessional. New car leaked when it rained,sprinkle,or a car wash.Service told me to “expect water leakage”, they weren’t able to fix it or come up with a solution.It was fixed when I had to take one of them with me through a car wash. Amazing that trained technicians can’t fix a leakage problem after the 4th try. Leakage since day one, air conditioner problem, and after driving past 2,000, you can really tell a difference in the performance. I couldn’t imagine that car lasting more than a year without any more major problems, if I would have kept it.

• 

  awful car, AVOID AT ALL COSTS - 2000 Mercury Cougar
  By John_j_c8 - March 7 - 10:00 am

  From day 1, this car was plagued with problems. Defective radio, broken hood prop were the first things. Then alternators, AC Compressors, fuel pump, rotos, brake pads, alignment, tire re- balance, insulation hanging from the under body, fabric on the seats came apart, poor fit and finish and many more PROBLEMS. Avoid this car.